No brakes after hooking up battery backwards

M

maclean_cherry

New Member
Hi there guys,

I've recently acquired a 01/2967 P6 2000 TC, beautiful car and absolutely love it.

Embarrasingly while changing the battery (after leaving the lights on during the day, I'm still getting used to a car that doesnt let me know when the lights are left on..) I hooked the battery up backwards, resulting in some smoke coming from the wiring to the alternator and regulator. After switching the leads around the correct way and retaping some form of insulation around the wiring I started up the car and proceeded to go for a drive.

At the end of the road I discovered I no longer had any brakes, the pedal has no feel at all in it and just pushes straight to the firewall.

I've done some searching around the Internet as I'd assumed I had a blown a fuse that controlled the brakes however research indicates that there is none.

Would you be able to suggest what I may have to replace to get the brakes going again?

Thanks, and I look forward to contributing to the forum.

Maclean
 
Hello Maclean,

I feel pretty sure that it is just a coincidence that your brakes failed. The operation of the brakes is purely hydraulic with vacuum assistance.

There most likely cause of the brake pedal going to the floor is the master cylinder. Corrosion at the base of the cylinder can be the cause for such an experience. You can also check for fluid leaking from the rear of the cylinder by feeling along the pushrod behind the brake pedal. If so, it will be wet with brake fluid.

Brake calipers can also leak, but typically the pedal just becomes spungy rather than going right to the floor.

Ron.
 
Yup, these coincidences can happen, on the same trip the big ends failed on my car the brakes also went! Not a good day that. I guess that's a good time to have no brakes, when the engine can't move the car. :LOL:

old car == simple brakes. :)
 
Thanks for the input guys.

I'll check it out this weekend. Sadly if it requires any major maitenance I may be selling it just 2 weeks after buying it as I'm moving to the UK in February and can't justify spending money on fixing a car.

Will be a sad day but hopefully I can get in there and fix it myself cheaply.

Thanks again. I'll update if (more like when) I run into trouble. :)
 
Hi Maclean.
What part of the world are you returning from??
Sounds like if you can fix it you will bring it with you?
Why not bring it anyway? and get it fixed over here!!
Seems a shame to give up so quick on what sounds like a good car!
Old cars are really basic,and if you are handy with the spanners you should be able to do most basic jobs!!
Fuses for Electrics,hydraulics for brakes!!Water,fuel and oil for engine!
None of this computer powered brain rubbish,that only needs a small bug or virus to stop it dead in its tracks!!
And no need to plug it into a diagnistic expensive dealers laptop to tell you what is wrong and how many hundreds of ££'s it will cost to fix it! :roll: Then it will get it wrong coz its got a bug!! :LOL:
BTW!!! Welcome to the forum!! :)
Dave
 
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